A Kneeling Theology
In order to be a compelling force in social renewal, theological wisdom needs the animating power of mystical wisdom. The study of theology needs to be imbued with a deeper contemplation of the Word made flesh. Some presume that recourse to prayer in the context of theological study is anti-intellectual, a flight into fantasy, or even an escape into the merely affective. Such prejudice... Read More

Make Known the Mercies of God
In the name of the Father, Christ sends His disciples into the world in the power of the Holy Spirit to make known the mercies of God. The humble movement of God’s heart reaching out to ours, extending even into the deepest recesses of our misery, ought to evoke our love and gratitude. Those who come to realize what Christ suffered for their sakes yearn to give a return.... Read More

Description: Why should we deepen our prayer life? Dan and Melissa speak with Dr. Anthony Lilles about his book Fire from Above: Christian Contemplation and Mystical Wisdom to explain the importance behind contemplative prayer and the reasons to make it part of one's daily prayer life.
Topics/Questions covered in the show:
What was the motivation behind writing the book?
What significance is behind... Read More

Mystical Contemplation and the Gift of Knowledge
In mystical contemplation, the gifts of wisdom, knowledge, and understanding move the soul in delightful ways that it does not understand. Divine light and warmth enkindle the depths of the soul and completely captivate the mind. Reason does not lead the way but is led to silent surrender with great spiritual fruitfulness. Here, the limits... Read More

How Sanctifying Grace Makes us Like God
With the Gift of the Holy Spirit, the gift of supernatural grace makes one’s whole existence holy. This doctrine of deification, or divinization, involves a true sharing in God’s life that does not diminish our created dignity but raises our freedom above its natural capacities.
To be assimilated into the life of God in a way that perfects our humanity,... Read More

Prayer and the Struggle to Forgive
One obstacle to beginning to pray and living within is the struggle to forgive. Whenever someone hurts us in a serious way, there is a spiritual wound that remains. As we begin to pray, we commonly find ourselves going back over these wounds again and again. What is most frustrating is that many times we thought we had already forgiven the person who... Read More

Prayer is Not an Emptying of the Mind
Some argue that since God already knows our deepest needs, sharing these with Him is redundant. Instead of humble petition, some teachers suggest emptying the mind of everything. As rationality is abandoned, they propose that the mind can evolve beyond limiting structures.
For them, catechesis and the teaching of the Church are a helpful stepping-stone,... Read More

God’s Mysterious Absence in Deep Prayer
Contemplation does not shield us from doubt or suffering. Christian prayer baptizes our doubts and difficulties, trials and tests in faith. Violently opposing forces, faith confronts doubt in prayer even in the midst of very difficult circumstances.
Saint Thérèse of Lisieux lived a life of intense prayer and friendship with the Lord. In the last weeks of... Read More

Dan Burke and Melissa Elson reflect on the meditations of Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen regarding blind obedience. The post Reflecting on Blind Obedience appeared first on SpiritualDirection.com / Catholic Spiritual Direction.

Dan Burke and Melissa Elson speak with Dr. Holly Ordway about her contribution to the book "From Atheism to Catholicism" to find out what drew her to the Catholic Church. The post From Atheism to Catholicism appeared first on SpiritualDirection.com / Catholic Spiritual Direction.

Dan Burke and Melissa Elson reflect on the meditations of Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen and the meaning of true glory. The post The Meaning of True Glory appeared first on SpiritualDirection.com / Catholic Spiritual Direction.